WAW - Wild Atlantic Way

houseplant · 16-02-2016 05:04AM #1

How well is this initiative working? Are people along the route seeing the benefits? I wonder are holiday makers actually coming to Ireland to tour the route. Are there coach tours, self drive hire etc available?

Donald Trump · 16-02-2016 05:21AM

houseplant wrote: »

How well is this initiative working? Are people along the route seeing the benefits? I wonder are holiday makers actually coming to Ireland to tour the route. Are there coach tours, self drive hire etc available?

Waw wah wee waw

Kazakhs like it apparently

kneemos · 16-02-2016 06:50AM

The tourists they come,they see,they go.

Graces7 · 16-02-2016 07:47AM

Trading at a street market I meet many tourists and some are driving the wild atlantic way,, They have " done" all the other routes so the new idea suits them. I like the idea and love following the signs on my times out.

md23040 · 16-02-2016 09:19AM

Working in the hospitality industry the campaign has been a huge success and driven increased room sales in hotels, bed and breakfasts along the entirety of the route. The amount of business this has generated is phenomenal and whoever came up with this simple marketing idea of a few signposts needs the highest honor Ireland can bestow.

A good news news story for once in Ireland that didn't become a white elephant nor cost an arm and a leg.

16-02-2016 09:32AM

Thought it was a ridiculous suggestion, who would want to drive the length of the western seaboard.

Was wrong. Turns out there are loads who do, or long stretches of it. Know of one group of residents in a cul de sac here in Kerry who had a sign placed near them indicating a turn off which was poorly placed and sent vehicles up their road. They said the amount of traffic that would trundle up last their houses was amazing, dormobiles, cars, tourists dragging caravans all trying to turn at the end of a country road. The sign was moved...but it just showed the numbers who follow the route religiously. I'd say any town that didn't lobby hard to get on the route must be kicking themselves.

28srf0c · 16-02-2016 09:39AM

It's pretty good, but confusing even for me. Was driving around Galway recently and the signage is a bit confusing. At many junctions, there would be a couple of signs for the Atlantic way, each pointing in a different direction.

munchkin_utd · 16-02-2016 09:42AM

28srf0c wrote: »

It's pretty good, but confusing even for me. Was driving around Galway recently and the signage is a bit confusing. At many junctions, there would be a couple of signs for the Atlantic way, each pointing in a different direction.

you need to buy the official WAW map.

but the reason is simple, you sometimes need to "leave" the route to find something down a one way road to the coast.
The key is that if a name is mentioned then its guiding you to a certain attraction, otherwise its normally just the small butty sign that brings you along the coast.

Vex Willems · 16-02-2016 09:44AM

28srf0c wrote: »

It's pretty good, but confusing even for me. Was driving around Galway recently and the signage is a bit confusing. At many junctions, there would be a couple of signs for the Atlantic way, each pointing in a different direction.

well it does go both ways. Would the signs not have an (N) or a (S)

kneemos · 16-02-2016 09:45AM

28srf0c wrote: »

It's pretty good, but confusing even for me. Was driving around Galway recently and the signage is a bit confusing. At many junctions, there would be a couple of signs for the Atlantic way, each pointing in a different direction.

Local politicians fixing the signs

The Backwards Man · 16-02-2016 09:57AM

Best thing ever happened tourism wise in the North West. It's still only a fledgling iniative too, not many people have heard of it, it can only get better. Unless the politicians fcuk it up, of course.

CiaranMcDCFC · 16-02-2016 10:49AM

As someone who as driven the entire route over the last three years on different holidays I think it has been a huge success.

Have met loads of tourists who are doing it, in cars, camper vans, bicycles.

Lots of camp sites and coffee shops doing well.

There is really something for everyone along the route, some stunning views, brilliant beaches even in the more damp weather!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 16-02-2016 10:57AM

Massive success all round. Even if my son-in-law calls it the Wet Atlantic Way after their last holiday.

podgemonster · 16-02-2016 11:00AM

Was down home in West Cork over the summer for a week. The amount of tourists rambling around the towns and villages with little guide books and lonely planets, peering in shop windows and sitting out having coffees is great to see.

The WAW has joined up a lot of the dots of scenic beauty and historical significance that scatter our coast line. Its not just drivers, there are plenty of cyclists doing it too.

One evening I was walking my parents dog by an old pier about a mile from our house and there was a french couple standing on the pier with those big heavy cameras. I stopped to see were they looking at anything interesting but it was just the coastline, sea and the sky. The french guy turned to me and said "it is beautiful, yes?" I looked, and I never really looked before because twas always just the old pier at the bottom of the hill.

"Yes, i suppose it is" And I carried on my way.

maudgonner · 16-02-2016 11:02AM

Great initiative and from what I've heard from people involved in tourism it's doing incredibly well.

Things like this that make the best of what we have without costing the earth are fantastic. The Greenway (Westport-Achill) is another great example. Fair play to all involved.

Howard the Duck · 16-02-2016 11:05AM

Done some of this last year, Just mainly Kerry. The weather was great and it was one of the best holidays i've ever had. Never knew Kerry was so beautiful

CJhaughey · 16-02-2016 11:06AM

Very successful initiative by Bord Failte, it really has been a big success in the SW.
The scenery is magnificent here and the idea of linking the various spots along the route was a stroke of genius.
There are new features being added all the time with the latest being a WAW metal sign in steel on the Coolieragh stop overlooking Bantry bay and Whiddy Island.
Maybe they have added a load of new POI's for GPS users?
Last summer was amazing in terms of Motorcycles and Camper Vans around the area compared to the previous years.

16-02-2016 11:06AM

28srf0c wrote: »

It's pretty good, but confusing even for me. Was driving around Galway recently and the signage is a bit confusing. At many junctions, there would be a couple of signs for the Atlantic way, each pointing in a different direction.

:pac:

16-02-2016 11:38AM

md23040 wrote: »

Working in the hospitality industry the campaign has been a huge success and driven increased room sales in hotels, bed and breakfasts along the entirety of the route. The amount of business this has generated is phenomenal and whoever came up with this simple marketing idea of a few signposts needs the highest honor Ireland can bestow.

A good news news story for once in Ireland that didn't become a white elephant nor cost an arm and a leg.

You will only annoy people with post like that, It should be rural Ireland is dying and there are no job and if they are any jobs its all interns, plus jobs in hospitality do not count as they don't pay enough.

16-02-2016 11:43AM

mariaalice wrote: »

You will only annoy people with post like that, It should be rural Ireland is dying and there are no job and if they are any jobs its all interns, plus jobs in hospitality do not count as they don't pay enough.

Jobs in hospitality don't count as jobs? Sorry, what?

Tell that to people working in the hospitality industry all around Ireland, "Sorry, your job doesn't count".

16-02-2016 11:47AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Jobs in hospitality don't count as jobs? Sorry, what?

Tell that to people working in the hospitality industry all around Ireland, "Sorry, your job doesn't count".

sorry I was paraphrasing a reply I got from someone a while ago about employment who replied to a post with.... " Jobs in hospitality do not pay enough to be counted as real jobs"

screamer · 16-02-2016 11:47AM

It's successful but it's made some places unbearably crowded. TBH I was in a certain WAW hotspot this summer and the lack of eye contact and just general manners from people working in pubs tourist attractions etc was stark compared to when I visited about 10 years ago. Couldn't care less attitudes. What we were known for as being the place of a thousand welcomes is gone it's very much pack em in stack em high charge through the nose and be rude now. I'll be steering clear of the WAW hot spots it's far from relaxing to holiday in them.

Graces7 · 16-02-2016 12:17PM

28srf0c wrote: »

It's pretty good, but confusing even for me. Was driving around Galway recently and the signage is a bit confusing. At many junctions, there would be a couple of signs for the Atlantic way, each pointing in a different direction.

Ah usually then one will say N and the other S. I see that a lot here in Kerry too, Makes sense once you realise!

biko · 16-02-2016 12:46PM

There seems to be a big increase in numbers on it and it's mentioned for instance in NG http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/road-trip/ireland-wild-atlantic-way/

Rhys Essien · 16-02-2016 12:56PM

West Cork featured on Dutch TV last night so that can't be bad.I think the WAW was a great idea but to follow up last year with Ireland's Ancient East was cringey.I thought one of the reasons of the WAW was to let tourists know that there is more to Ireland than Dublin.

ScumLord · 16-02-2016 01:38PM

I wouldn't go near it. I don't trust Irish sign posts.

andekwarhola · 16-02-2016 01:54PM

Never driven the full WAW. I did the Liscannor to Doolin cliff walk recently though. Think it's about 15K. You get a bit complacent and moaning about your own country sometimes but it's a beautiful part of the country and it creates a lot of direct and indirect employment.

donegaLroad · 16-02-2016 02:10PM

I was at the Donegal Wild Atlantic Way conference last October. Bord Failte have very big ambitions for this initiative. It will go from strength to strength, and anyone planning on starting a tourist related business on the West coast, could do very well. There needs to be more activities for visitors along the WAW route.

Donegal was very busy during tourist season last year. The WAW played a large part of this. The strong Sterling and strong US dollar also helped a lot.

Google's busiest day of the year is Boxing Day, and on the 1st Jan 2015, Google supplied Failte Ireland with their search data from the 26th Dec 2014.

Based on this search data, Failte Ireland declared that 2015 would be a bumper year for tourism in Ireland. A large percentage of what was being googled on the 26th Dec was the WAW.

Failte Ireland were urging people to use Twitter more to try and promote the WAW by posting photos of the west coast, under #WildAtlanticWay #discoverireland #godiscoverdonegal etc.

Ireland will really be in focus this year because of the 1916 commemoration which should help bring more visitors to the west coast.

*Game of Thrones has done wonders for tourism in the North over the last while.

V_Moth · 16-02-2016 02:16PM

It would be fine if they did't build car parks over some of the most threatened wildlife in Ireland:

https://twitter.com/davesudds62/status/668849312118513665

Cienciano · 16-02-2016 02:21PM

I've use a few sections of it and it's great. Only way it can be fúcked up is if local business give backhanders to alter the route to include their businesses on it. Anyone that wants a great family holiday should hire a camper van and try it.

donegaLroad · 16-02-2016 02:32PM

you can get the Wild Atlantic Way app here

The free Wild Atlantic Way App has everything from places to see, where to sleep and eat, to festivals and events. There’s even a list of secrets the locals have shared with us. It is the perfect travel companion along the West Coast of Ireland. Immerse yourself in the culture, music and food found in the towns and villages along the way, climb the most breathtaking heights and experience places that revive the soul.

It also works offline

WAW - Wild Atlantic Way

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